Synthesis and optical properties of bis(oligophenyleneethynylenes).

Bis(oligophenyleneethynylenes) 1-4 were prepared as representative members of a new class of potential nonlinear optical materials. The optical properties of 1-4 were examined for evidence of restricted rotation of the aryl rings when compared to their single-strand precursors, which could potentially increase their nonlinear response through more effective conjugation. The effect of altering the electron density of the terminating functional group of these compounds on their properties was also investigated.